Customer Reviews

Best of

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been waiting for this reissue for years. Although it's labeled as a "greatest hits" package, this is essentially a reissue of the Colonel's self-titled 1985 album on MCA, (featuring remixes of four successful dance singles: Trapped [re-recorded and remixed at least twice in the '90s], I'm Not Gonna Let [a top ten R&B hit in 1986], The Truth, and Over and Over), with two songs from his 1987 follow up. Abrams has an intense vocal style similar to Teddy Pendergrass, and this album features his best material. Few artists have mastered the mix of R&B and dance quite as well since then.

Colonel Abrams was the artist in the 80's for 'those in the know'. He was big in R&B circles but never really crossed into the mainstream (which must have been due to promotion as he was talented enough!).

I was glad to see this compilation, as in record stores it was hard to find a CD that included all of his work that I remembered listening to on the radio, and hearing in clubs.

Here is why I don't give the CD 5 stars: the mixes aren't that great. Perhaps I am a product of New York radio, but I remember stronger versions out there of songs like 'Speculation', and I was dissapointed to learn that they weren't what was placed in this CD.

I was always curious about the music of Colonel Abrams since I began keeping track of the Billboard Club Chart in late 1986. In 1987 Colonel Abrams went to number one for 2 weeks with "How Soon We Forget" and I have always wanted a copy on cd. This collection has 5 full 12" mixes on it. Colonel Abrams has 4 number one dance records on the Billboard charts :"How Soon We Forget","Trapped" and "I'm Not Gonna Let You" plus his other chart topper was listed as Colonel Abrams (LP). The voice is a mixture of Teddy Pendergrass and Johnny Gill.The collection also highlights some of his ballads as well. But the main reason to by is the 12" dance mixes. In a time when club music got played on black radio this is a time I wish still coninued today. The 12" mixes for "The Truth" (7:50),"Trapped" (6:30),"I'm Not Gonna Let You" (6:50--absolutely incredible),"How Soon We Forget"(7:49-early chicago type house mix) and the mid tempo club hit-#46-"Over And Over" (6:22) are worth the price. "Speculation" was a club single but no 12" was included. Cd runs around 63 minutes long. Great 80's dance music.

Colonel Abrahams has to have one of the most distinctive voices ever. With dance classics such as "Trapped," "How Soon We Forget," and the Top 10 R&B smash "I'm Not Gonna Let You," it's no wonder music lovers became captivated by his unique style instantly. A voice similar to R&B's superior Teddy Pendergrass, this immaculate collection takes us back to a time when it was alright to let loose and dance the night away.

Everybody who hears me playing this CD wants me to burn a copy for them...but don't worry, Colonel...I don't...I send them here to buy their own. The original recipe mixes were good, but these new ones are extra spicy. OK, I think I've used up all my KFC references. (and made myself hungry)

Colonel Abrams was one of the pioneers of the mid-'80s House music movement. His deep vocals, somewhat like Teddy Pendergrass, and slammin' house beats made his music a definite favourite of mine in the '80s. Back then, his 12" singles were really difficult to get, even at DJ record stores. I was surprised to see ... carrying his "Best Of" album, so I had to get it. Even though the songs contained in this CD were recorded back in 1986, they still sound great, and have withstood the test of time!

WHILE THIS CD OFFERS THE UTMOST OF COLONEL'S HITS IN RARE FORM, ONE CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE HIS BIG HIT AND PROBABLY HIS FIRST ONE "MUSIC IS THE MESSAGE" IS NOT ON THIS CD. WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME LEFT ON THIS CD, YOU MEAN TO TELL ME SUCH A BIG DANCE CLASSIC IS NOT ON THE ONLY COMPILATION THAT EH HAS OUT! WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS?

The Best of Colonel Abrams is a bright collection of the artist's dance classics and quiet storm masterpieces. With the CD opener "Specutlation" you have a good sense of what is about to come. With such hits and Garage classics like "Trapped", "I'm not gonna let" and "How soon we forget" this makes the CD one of the best dance artist collections thus far. The Best of also covers some of the quiet storms recording such as " Marquex" and "Table for two" with is also worth listening too and shows the diversity of the artist. Many listeners may say "Hey he sounds like Teddy Pendergrass!" but trust me he has a style and voice all his own.

Trust me this is also a must have and you will get your moneys worth.

Buy it!!!

Like Alexander O'Neal, James "D Train" Williams and Kashif, Colonel Abrams was able to effortlessly meld his classic soul and gospel-flavored singing style with high-tech 1980s R&B/Club beats with great commercial success. Abrams was obviously influenced strongly by such legendary R&B vocalists as Teddy Pendergrass and The Dells' Murvin Junior--something which becomes convincingly clear on the classics "Trapped", "Speculation, "The Truth", "How Soon We Forget" and the luscious ballads "Margaux", "Table For Two" and "Never Change". A classic collection from one of the 1980s most important male R&B singers.

I was a little late getting into Colonel Abrams' music (around 1992), but since discovering him, I had to look high and low for his music. This collection is good for the beginner, but there are some things I would have liked to have seen in this collection.

Firstly, although his entire self titled 1985 debut album appears in this collection, they are not all the original mixes. I would have been satisfied with the original album version of "The Truth". The fancy remix was not neccessary. But I can't hold that against this collection, because of the fact that it is simply impossible to find his music. Get this legend's best while it's still in print.